Machine for composing and casting logotypes.



PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907.

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H2 -I IIWNWIIWHVIIIMMIIMH .MHHIMH MACHINE FOR COMPOSING AND CASTING LOGOTYPES.

No. 885,888. PATENTED SEPT. 10,1907. P. WIGKs. Y

MACHINE. P08 COMPOSING AND CASTING 180808158888.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, 1905.

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@LQ/g? No. 865,833. PATBNTBN SBPT.10, 1907.

P. WIoKs. MACHINE FOR GoMPosING AND CASTING LoGoTYPBs.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28,*1905.

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' PATENTED SEPT. 1o, 1907,

P. WICKS. MACHINE FOR GOMPOSING AND CASTING LOGOTYPES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 885,888. PATNNTND SEPT. 1o, 1907.

' P. WIGKS. MACHINE P08 ooMPosING AND CASTING LoGoTYPBs APPLICATION FILED PEB. 28, 1905. I

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907.

F. WICKS. MACHINE FOR COM'POSING AND CASTING LOGOTYPBS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 28, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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rus mmms FREDERICK WICKS, OF ESHER, ENGLAND.

PA'rENT OFFICE.

MACHINE FOR COMPOSING AND CASTING LOGOTYPES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application filed February 28, 1905. Serial No. 247,752.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK Wiens, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Halfway Lodge, Esher, in the county of Surrey, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Composing and Casting Logotypes, of which the following is a specication.

The inventions known as matrix composing machines are of two kinds (l) those by which the matrices are composed in a line with the necessary spaces and are therefore cast in a solid block or slug and (2) those which bring the various matrices and spaces separately -to a mold and cast each letter and space separately.

The first of these processes is objected to because the occurrence of an error in the block necessitates the recomposing and recasting of the whole line; and the second kind is objected to because of the number of movements of the mechanism necessary to cast the letters and spaces separately, and the difficulty of securing speed and accuracy in consequence of the number of these movements.

My invention is designed to meet both of these obj ections by providing mechanism to enable me to deal with thc line of composed type in such a way as to cast each letter or word in the line and its succeeding space in one block or logotype, or to cast the line in two or more parts so that in the event of an error occurring in such letter or word or part line, that logotype alone will have to be replaced and not the whole line. For this purpose I employ an apparatus similar to those in common use by means of which I assemble matrices and spaces by operating keys; but l also provide in addition to the magazines furnished with matrices and spaces, au additional magazine furnished with specially designed pieces of metal which I designate mold ends, seeing that they arc designed to form the ends of the molds in which the word and its space is to be cast, and these mold ends I intervene between each word with its space and the next succeeding word-with its space, so that the composed line is a line of words and spaces iuclosed within and separated by mold ends. Having composed the several words and spaces and inclosed them within a race and divided them with mold ends I provide apparatus to advance a justifying vise and to inclose the range of matrices and spaces and mold ends within the jaws of the vise, and in the manner common to apparatus of this kind, a justifying bar is raised, whereby the spaces are enlarged, justifying the line, 'lhe justified line is then pressed forward between two parallel guides which form two sides of the mold, the ends being formed by the mold ends, and thus a mold is provided for the series of matrices forming the word with the space attached. So arranged the series of word molds are carried forward by the justifying vise past the melting pot and its vent, from which molten metal is projected by a suitable pump; and the several word molds each carrying with it the several matrices forming the word and the space receive their proper quota of metal and word and space blocks or logotypes are thereby cast. It will be obvious that if a letter and its space are inclosed between mold ends, such letter will be cast separately, or if mold ends are provided only at the beginning and end of a line the whole line will be cast in one, or by proper interposition of mold ends a line may be cast in any desired number of parts.

The apparatus for the sorting out of the cast logotypes, matrices,-spaces and mold ends, for feeding the logotypes line by line to the printers galley, and for the return of the matrices, spaces and mold ends to their magazines will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is an elevation of that part of the apparatus which deals with the elements of the logotype mold up to the casting point; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the justifying and mold traversing movements, Fig. 3 a transverse section on the plane of the pump orifice; Fig. 3 a detail showing the mold ends; Fig. 4 an end view partly in section showing the matrix and space distributing device; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively side and plan views showing the mold end carriage and traversing gear; Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively side and plan views showing the mold end feeding and compos ing device; Fig. 9 is a detail of the cam actuating the said feeding device, Figs. l0 and ll are respectively front and end elevations of the cast logotype feeding device. Fig. l2 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the general arrangement and operation of the apparatus; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic part elevation illustrating the manner of distributing the components of the mold, and Figs. 14, l5, 16 and l7 various details thereof drawn to an enlarged scale.

The matrix used to form the word or series of'words to be cast is of the kind commonly used in the linotype machines with the letter to be represented struck on the edge of the metal, and the spaces are also of the ordinary linotype form. The mold ends l Fig. 3a are rectangular in form, preferably a pica in width, with a shank l, and a nger or prong lb which projects Ainto the space between two plates 2, 2 which form the sides of the mold and which are preferably water cooled. The mold is completed by the face of the pump casing 3 through which the moltenA metal issues from the nozzle of the pump.

As the purpose of the apparatus is the casting of lines of logotypes as well as of single logotypes, a justifying vise 4 Fig. l of the ordinary sort is provided which may be made with one or both of its arms adjustable in position on its shaft 4a to suit the desired length of line. Generally a standard number of mold ends, as may be determined at the start, are inserted in each line independently of' the number of words, so that the line vise may be adjusted once for all to the length of the desired line plus that of the added mold ends.

The matrices, spaces and mold ends being assembled in the race 5 together with any surplus mold ends to make up the standard number, the justifying vise is brought forward by means of the lever 6 Fig. 2 which at the same time through the crank lever 6 raises the justifying bar 7 to expand the matrices by the justifying wedges or spaces and also brings the segmental nut 8 into engagement with the screw-thread on the continuously moving traversing shaft 9. The vise7 and with it the logotype mold and matrices, are thereby carried past the vent 10 Figs. 3 and 12 of a metal pot in which is working a suitablemetal pump, the nozzle 11 being turned by the engagement of the moving part with a suitable lever to the position shown in Fig. 3, in which it delivers molten metal to fill the molds in the act of passing, the pump exit being automatically closed in a similar manner after the last mold end ofthe series has passed the vent, the nozzle 11 being turned to cut off the flow of metal by engagement with a suitable part of the moving vise. been cast the justifying vise 4 is disengaged from the traversing shaft 9 by encountering a xed cam projection suitably placed on the frame to tilt the arm 3n which carries the nut 8 rearwardly, thereby rocking the shaft 4u, and by means of the crank arm 6b engaging the slots 6 raising the vise which is movable vertically in its slide. The vise is returned to its original position along the guide 12 in which it slides, by means of the weight 13 Fig. 1. The matrices, spaces, mold ends and cast logotypes are now taken in hand by the endless chain 14 which is arranged longitudinally of the type race 5 (Figs. 3, 4 and 12) and which carries the whole series to a new position in which they are severally dealt with. The driving sprocket 15 of the chain is driven from the continuously rotating axle 16 through a suitable friction device which allows the axle to slip when the chain is temporarily retarded by accident or otherwise. The tappets 14 on the chain engage the lower ends of the spaces which depend below the matrices forming the words, and the mold ends, matrices and spaces in front of the space which is encountered by a given tappet are carried forward by the movement of the chain. Should the space attacked by the tappet not be the last of the series, the remainder of the elements of the series is left on the race until the next series comes forward. rThe matrices and spaces are carried forward by the tappets along upwardly inclined guides 17 Figs. 4, 12 and 13 from which they depend by their lugs to a point where they encounter a continuously moving vertical chain 18 having projections which engage with the lugs of the spaces or matrices and lift them upwards from the inclined guides. The chain 18 has two sets of projections arranged in pairs Figs. 14-16, the inner or narrower pairs 19 engaging with the lugs of the matrices 20, and the wider pairs 21 with the lugs of the spaces 22 which extend outwards beyond those of the matrices.'

The matrices are carried upwards to the point where i they are pressed forward by the spring deflector 23 to The logotypes having seas-sV the distributing bar 24 Figs, 4 and 13, and the spaces to the point where they engage a spring guide or deflector 25 by which they are transferred to the inclined race 26 down which they descend gravitationally in line for future use. In the meantime the mold ends have been pressed along the forward part of the race 5 by the spaces in their rear until they arrive successively at a point Where by suitable mechanism they are individually transferred to a carrier in which they are returned to a suitable position for using again. This is effected by means of a frame 27 Fig. 3 which is reciprocated in fixed guides 27t by means of an eccentric 28 on the shaft 29 Fig. 5. A pawl 30 is pivoted on the frame so as to engage the shoulder of a mold end shank each time the frame is reciprocated, retracting the mold end from the race 5 and delivering it on a carriage 31 capable of accommodating the standard number of mold ends.

As each mold end is delivered to the carriage it defiects a spring 312* Figs. 5 and 17 the reaction of which pushes the carriage forwards thus advancing it each time by a distance equal to the width of one mold end, until when the full complement of mold ends have been deposited in the carriage the latter has been advanced to the position in which the foot 32v on its underside engages the screw thread ot a rotating traversing shaft 33 by which the carriage is conveyed to a point 34 where it is ready to provide mold ends for a future series or line of logotypes. rThis position is shown in Fig. l, in which the carriage is shown with its feet still in engagement with the traversing screw but the mold ends abutting against a stop 34a. Asit may happen that the continuously moving spirals 33 and 45 (Fig. 6) become loaded at the ends thereof and unable to accommodate a further carriage, these shafts are made in two sections connected with each other by suitable yielding clutches such as 33x1 and 45 Figs. 5 and 6 which allows the driving section of the shaft to slip relatively to the other section when the latter encounters a given resistance to rotation. Thus the left hand or driving section of the shaft 33 will slip over the right hand section when the mold ends abut against the stop 34L as shown in Fig. 1. Similarly the right hand or driving section of shait 45 will slip relative to its left hand section when the latter encounters a sufficient resistance to rotation. Motion is transmitted to the returning shaft 45 by a train of gear wheels 45b which connect the left hand section oll shaft 33 with the right hand section of shaft 45 so as to rotate the two shafts in opposite directions.

The mold ends are fed to the composing race from th carriage at position 34 by depressing the mold end key 36 Figs. 7 and 8, the lever 37 by means of the pawl 37l thereby rotating the ratchet wheel 3 3 through one tooth. The corresponding tooth on the opposite side of the ratchet wheel advances the bar 39 against the action of the spring 40 and places the mold end 1 in the proper position for setting in relation to the preceding matrices and spaces composed in the usual way. The bar 39 actuated by the compressed spring 40 immediately thereafter reverts to its normal position and leaves the space clear for the next succeeding mold end. The further depression of the lever 37 causes the cam 41 to rock the pivoted lever 42, the other end of which carries a spring finger 43 by which the next succeeding mold end is displaced from the carriage and placed in position to be dealt with by the bar 39 to close the next logotype in the series. During the removal of the mold ends from the carriage as above described the carriage is being advanced step by step by means of the traversing shaft 33 until after it is completely emptied it reaches the position 44 (Fig. 1) from which it is transferred, by means of a yieldable or spring finger 44EL attached to a frame 27 which is reciprocated in guides 27 l by an eccentric device similar to that used for loading the mold ends on the carriages, to the continuously rotating traversing shaft 45 which carries it back opposite to the loading position to which it is transferred by means of a yielding finger 441 on the reciprocating frame 27 Which effects the loading of the carriages. Concurrently with these operations, the cast logotypes, having had" removed from them the matrices, spaces, and mold ends, are carried forward to the galley provided for their reception by means of the chain 14. At the end of the space provided for them they encounter a stud 46 Fig. l() which is normally urged by a spring 46? to project over the galley 47. The displacement of the stud causes the engagement, by means of a suitable lever clutch 48, of the pinion 49 with the rotating gear Wheel 50, thereby rotating the volute cam 51 Figs. l0 and 1l which depresses the line of logotypes last placed in the galley and thus makes room for succeeding lines. When this depression occurs the step of the cam is reached, and the space in front of the stud 46 being noW clear, the stud is urged forwards by the spring 46L into its initial position and the pinion 49 simultaneously thrown out of gear With the driving spur Wheel 50.

In the operation of the apparatus, after the casting of the logotype as already described, the logotype and the constituent parts of the mold are distributed Vas illustrated more particularly in Figs. 12-17, the spaces 22 being carried forward along the inclined guide 17 by engagement with the tappets 14 of the endless belt 14, urging the matrices 20 along with them. The logotypes and mold ends remain in the race 5 and are carried forward by the engagement of the lower part of the space 22 with the projecting ends ofthe mold ends 1, the logotypes separating out from the longer mold ends and passing down an inclined guide along which they are urged by succeeding pieces to the galley where they are dealt with, as already described, While the mold ends are pushed forward against an abutment at the spring 31 as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 17. From this they are transferred one by one as already described to the carriage 31, when the latter is in the position 31 shown in Fig. 12. The carriage when filled with its complement of mold ends engages the traversing screw shaft 33 and is transferred to the position 312, in which position the mold ends are transferred one by one as required to the composing race. The empty carriage is transfeired by means of the reciprocating frame 27 (Fig. l) to position 313 on the traversing shaft 45 by which it is borne to position 31u1 ready to be shifted by the finger 44b on the frame 27 (Fig. 3) to the loading position 31.

Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect I claimzl. In a machine for producing justified logotype lines by means of typesetting and stereotyping apparatus in which matrices, spaces, and mold ends separating successive logotypes are employed, mold ends, means actuated by a separate key for introducing the mold ends into the composing race independently of the spaces and means for automatically separating said mold ends after stereotyping and transferring' same to suitable position for further use, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for producing justified lines of type such as herein described, type founder-s mold formed in part of loose pieces automatically assembled, a vise for clamping automatically said loose pieces, a traversing shaft carrying said vise to bring the mold past the orifice of the melting pot to receive the molten metal, and means for thereafter distributing such disconnected parts to .their respective magazines.

3. ln a machine for producing justified lines of type such as herein described, a type founders mold constituted by loose pieces automatically assembled, a vise for clamping automatically said loose pieces, a pair of parallel plates between which the said pieces are passed, and a plate havingl an orifice for the passage of the molten metal and in front of which the assembled parts of the mold are passed, substantially as described.

4. In apparatus of the kind described, a carrier chain having two sets of carriers, one` adapted to engage the matrices and the other the justifyingspaces and means for discharging the said matrices and spaces from their respective carriers, substantially as described.

5. In apparatus of the kind described, mold ends, a mold end carrier, a traversing shaft, means for transferring the mold ends from the mold race to the said carrier and means for bringing the carrier when full into engagement with the traversing shaft, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, mold ends, mold end carriers, a traversing shaft and a returning shaft for transporting said carriers, each of which is in two sections eonnected with each other by a slip clutch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In apparatus of the kind described, mold ends, mold end carriers, means for feeding the mold ends from the carriers to the composing race comprising an actuating lever, a pivoted finger operated thereby and adapted to displace the mold ends longitudinally, a ratchet toothed disk rotated step by step by the actuating lever and a spring returned thrust rod engaging with the ratchet disk and` adapted to displace the mold ends laterally, substantially as described.

S. In apparatus of the kind described means for feeding the cast logotypes into a printer-s galley comprising a spring returned thrust rod normally projecting over the galley, a clutch operated by the displacement of the thrust rod, a driving shaft, a volute cam geared to the driving shaft by the said clutch and adapted to engage a line of logotypes and depress it into the printers galley, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK WICKS.

Witnesses WAI/rma J. SKnn'rnN, G. F. WARREN. 

